PLDT won’t ever be the same team it once was during its eight-year championship drought in both the PSL and PVL.
The first-time pro league titlists know better now, more so when it comes to playing with their backs against the wall after countless heartbreaks and almosts.
READ: PLDT continues hot run by sweeping Cignal in PVL Invitationals
“Kapag high pressure situations, kasi may na-experience na kami na mahihirap, medyo na-reremind sila na, ‘Okay, napagdaanan na,’ iikot na lang ulit, point by point na lang ulit,” said PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort, the first PVL tactician to win a league title with two teams.
“Ang mas nagiging reference ngayon, kahit pagod, gumagalaw na kami na sa tingin ko ng mas-efficient dahil nga nilalaro na namin ‘yung games na may dinadala rin talagang pagod.”
A High Speed Hitter since the team’s PVL transfer in 2022, captain Kath Arado saw how the emotional rollercoasters of years and conferences past unleashed a new beast of sorts.
“Grabe rin yung character development ng bawat isa kasi napagdaanan namin lahat e, lahat ng emotions, pagod, so alam namin kung paano i-handle at i-handle yung bawat isa,” Arado said.
“Isang tapik lang, isang tingin, kahit papano meron na kaming ganon na matagal na ini-implement ng coaches sa amin.
“Pumasok kami sa PLDT na ginusto talaga naming mabago yung tingin nila sa PLDT, mabago yung standard ng PLDT. Ngayon na nandito na kami, ayaw na namin pakawalan yung ganitong opportunity.”
Best still yet to come?
Boosting Ricafort’s confidence even more is the thought that this version of PLDT is arguably the best he’s had in three years.
“Lineup wise, ito na siguro ‘yung medyo full lineup pero performance, kailangan din namin talaga ‘yung mga galing sa Alas kasi pagod na rin talaga mga players eh.
“Kasama na rin talaga du’n yung pag-manage, kasi nung last game, si Savi (Davison), yung pinahinga ngayon siya ‘yung in-activate, siguro ganun na lang talaga ‘yung pag manage para mairaos ‘yung conference.”
Arado added: “Mas exciting kasi ang dami naming conference na iniraos lang ‘yung lineup. Ngayon na naku-kumpleto na at wala pa yung pressure talaga, mas hinihintay pa namin ‘yung full potential ng team.”
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